The Pollution Crisis In New York Lakes

New York State has more than 7,600 freshwater lakes, ponds, and reservoirs, as well as portions of two of the five Great Lakes. However, two lakes in the state are among the most polluted in the United States, with one lake taking the top spot. Onondaga Lake, located in Central New York, is considered the most polluted lake in the country, and one of the most polluted in the world. Oneida Lake, the largest lake in New York State, is the fifth most polluted lake in the United States.

Onondaga Lake: polluted by sewage, trash, mercury, and phosphorus

New York State has more than 7,600 freshwater lakes, ponds and reservoirs, as well as portions of two of the five Great Lakes. However, two lakes in New York State are among the most polluted lakes in the United States. One of these is Onondaga Lake, which is located in Central New York, near the city of Syracuse. The lake covers 4.6 square miles, is about 1 mile wide and 4.6 miles long, and has an average depth of 35 feet.

Onondaga Lake has been polluted by sewage, trash, mercury, and phosphorus. Sewage and industrial discharges took their toll on the water quality of Onondaga Lake, leading to a ban on swimming by 1940 and fishing by 1970. Although pollution control efforts began in the 1970s, large quantities of methylmercury were discharged into the lake until the company responsible, Allied, was sued by the U.S. Attorney General in 1970. The removal of 7 tons of mercury from the lake is a positive step, but there are still an estimated 7 million cubic yards of contaminated soil left.

Phosphorus and ammonia are the most prevalent nutrients in the lake, caused by human waste that was dumped into the lake with little or no treatment. These nutrients cause algal blooms, which use mass quantities of oxygen, choking out fish and plants. Although upgrades to Syracuse’s main sewage facility have helped curb these nutrients, they continue to enter the ecosystem from combined sewer overflows (CSOs) that release untreated sewage into tributaries that flow into the lake.

Trash also enters the lake from stormwater runoff, which carries pollutants such as debris and floating trash from nearby streets. However, projects are underway to reduce polluted runoff, including a vacuum truck that removes trash from stormwater catch basins and skimmer vessels that remove floating waste from the Inner Harbor.

Oneida Lake: polluted by agricultural, urban, and suburban runoff

New York State has more than 7,600 freshwater lakes, ponds, and reservoirs, as well as portions of two of the five Great Lakes. However, two lakes in New York State are among the most polluted lakes in America, with one lake taking the top spot.

Oneida Lake, the largest lake in New York State, is the fifth most polluted lake in the United States. It is located about 10 miles north of Syracuse, flowing through four New York counties: Madison, Oswego, Oneida, and Onondaga. The lake has a surface area of about 80 square miles and is around 21 miles long and 5 miles wide.

Oneida Lake was added to the state's list of impaired waters under the Clean Water Act in 1998 due to algal blooms and rooted vegetation that hampered its recreational use. These algal blooms were fueled by excess nutrients, particularly phosphorus, from agricultural, urban, and suburban runoff. High levels of phosphorus create algae blooms and decimate wildlife.

However, local authorities have since implemented improved barnyard runoff management systems, manure storage systems, and nutrient and sediment control programs, which have successfully reduced phosphorus levels in the lake. As a result, the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation has declared Oneida Lake safe, and aquatic life has returned.

Pollution control efforts in New York

New York State has more than 7,000 lakes and streams, and its lakes have been the focus of pollution control efforts for decades. Two of its lakes are among the top five most polluted in the United States, with Onondaga Lake being ranked the most polluted in the country. Pollution of the lake has been an issue since the late 1800s, with swimming banned since 1940 and fishing outlawed in 1970 due to mercury contamination.

The state has been working to address this issue since the 1970s, and more recent cleanup work has resulted in the lake being the cleanest it has been in over a century. Oneida Lake, the largest lake in New York State, was added to the list of impaired waters under the Clean Water Act in 1998 due to algal blooms and rooted vegetation fuelled by excess nutrients from agricultural, urban, and suburban runoff.

The New York State Pollution Prevention Institute (NYSP2I) is a key organisation in the state's pollution control efforts. NYSP2I provides practical tools, solutions, and educational resources to help businesses, communities, and nonprofits become more sustainable and minimise their environmental impact. They offer technical assistance in various fields, including environmental engineering, green chemistry, and alternative chemical processes. NYSP2I also funds community projects that raise awareness and understanding of pollution prevention practices.

The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) also plays a crucial role in protecting the state's land, water, and air resources. DEC sponsors informational webinars, public meetings, and environmental education sessions to promote environmental justice in disadvantaged communities. They also address climate change effects, promote responsible waste management, monitor air quality, and oversee contaminated site cleanups. Additionally, DEC issues air pollution control permits and registrations to sources of air pollution, as air pollutants can have detrimental effects on both human health and the environment.

The cleanest lakes in New York

New York State has more than 7,600 freshwater lakes, ponds, and reservoirs, as well as portions of two of the five Great Lakes. Unfortunately, two lakes in New York State are among the most polluted lakes in America, with one lake taking the top spot. The good news is that New York is also home to some of the cleanest lakes in the country.

Lake George, located in Warren and Essex counties, is the largest and one of the best-known lakes in the Adirondacks. Nicknamed the Queen of American Lakes, it is 187 feet deep, roughly 3 miles wide, and 32 miles long. Its waters are a deep blue color, attracting thousands of visitors each year. Boating is one of the most popular activities here, but visitors also enjoy parasailing, swimming, and sunbathing at the lake's Million Dollar Beach. Despite the occasional issue with e. coli, Lake George is considered the cleanest lake in New York and the entire nation.

Skaneateles Lake, located in Onondaga County, is considered one of the highest Finger Lakes, sitting at almost 900 feet above sea level. It is 16 miles long, 3/4 of a mile wide, and 315 feet deep. Skaneateles Lake is one of the few meromictic lakes in the nation, meaning its layers of water do not mix. Its water is the purest among all the Finger Lakes, and it is a popular destination for fishing, boating, and swimming.

Otsego Lake, also called Glimmerglass Lake, is located in Otsego County, in the foothills of the Catskill Mountains. It has a surface area of 4,046 acres and is about 8 miles long and between 82 and 167 feet deep. Swimming, boating, fishing, and ice fishing are popular activities on the lake.

Hemlock Lake, located in southeastern Livingston County, is part of the Finger Lakes region and surrounded by the Hemlock-Canadice State Forest. It is larger than the nearby Canadice Lake, at 7 miles long, half a mile across, and roughly 90 feet deep. Hemlock serves as a water source for the City of Rochester, so boating is restricted, but fishing is a popular activity.

Canadice Lake, located in southwestern Ontario County, is one of the smallest Finger Lakes, at 3 miles long and one-third of a mile wide. With a depth of 95 feet, it has been a source of drinking water for Rochester for over 150 years. To preserve water quality, swimming and camping are prohibited, but fishing is a primary activity on the lake.

Long Lake and Blue Mountain Lake, located in the Adirondacks, are also known for their pristine natural state.

The impact of pollution on plant and animal life

New York State has more than 7,600 freshwater lakes, ponds, and reservoirs, as well as portions of two of the five Great Lakes. However, two lakes in New York State are among the most polluted lakes in America, with one lake taking the top spot. These polluted lakes have a detrimental impact on plant and animal life, and in this article, we will explore the effects of pollution on the natural world.

Onondaga Lake, located in Central New York, is considered the most polluted lake in the United States and one of the dirtiest bodies of water in the world. For years, raw sewage, trash, and human waste were dumped directly into the lake, resulting in high nitrogen levels and excessive nutrient content, particularly ammonia and phosphorus. This has led to a serious problem with algal blooms, which deplete the water of oxygen, choking the life out of fish and plants, especially in the deeper parts of the lake. The toxins present in the lake include mercury, chlorinated benzenes, BTEX compounds, PCBs, and PAHs, which are dangerous to humans, plants, and animals in and around the lake. These toxins accumulate in the lake-bottom sediments, water, and surrounding soils, impacting the entire ecosystem.

Another lake in New York State, Oneida Lake, is the fifth most polluted lake in the country. Similar to Onondaga Lake, Oneida Lake struggles with algal blooms fueled by excess nutrients from agricultural, urban, and suburban runoff. These algal blooms hamper recreational use and negatively affect the health of the lake's ecosystem.

The pollution in these lakes has severe consequences for plant and animal life. The excessive nutrients and toxins in the water disrupt the natural balance, leading to oxygen depletion and the death of fish and plants. This, in turn, affects the animals that rely on these aquatic sources for food and habitat. The toxins can accumulate in the tissues of animals, leading to health issues and even death. Additionally, the aesthetic and recreational value of the lakes is diminished, impacting the overall well-being of the surrounding areas.

It is important to note that efforts have been made to improve the water quality of these lakes. Recent upgrades at Syracuse's main sewage facility have helped curb the nutrients promoting algae growth, and pollution control efforts and cleanup work have made a positive impact on Onondaga Lake. However, until the toxins are completely removed and the natural balance is restored, plant and animal life in and around these lakes will continue to suffer the consequences of human-caused pollution.

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